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Health authorities satisfied about measures to avert SARS

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

Health authorities expressed confidence about the measures so far taken to avert any possible outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Sri Lanka while many Asian countries are fighting hard against this deadly virus.

The SARS epidemic has battered the aviation and tourism industries in East Asia, which has suffered the bulk of over 550 deaths and 7,500 infections recorded worldwide from the pneumonia-like disease.

A Senior Ministry official confirmed yesterday that no SARS patient has been detected in Sri Lanka so far.

However, thirteen suspected persons have so far been referred to the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), in Angoda during the last few weeks. They were later discharged as they tested negative for SARS. "These suspected cases comprise nationals from India, Japan, Kuwait and Sri Lanka," a health official told the Daily News.

Some of these suspected cases have been detected at the Bandaranaike International Airport. A health official attached to airport said necessary arrangements have been made there to detect any suspected SARS cases arriving from affected countries.

The WHO has listed Singapore, Toronto (Canada), Hanoi, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanxi and Guangdong as the affected areas. The Health Ministry with the assistance of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has improved the existing health facilities specially at the IDH to cater to SARS cases. An isolation unit has been created at the hospital and well-trained staff are available round the clock.

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